Pa. Court Affirms Denial of Death Benefits in Pneumoconiosis Case

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A Pennsylvania court has affirmed a decision to deny workers' compensation death benefits to a welder's widow where experts disagreed on whether the deceased welder suffered from pneumoconiosis or some other compensable illness related to welding. Patton v. Workers' Compensation Appeal Board, No. 2363 C.D. 2007 (Pa. Commwlth. Ct.).

The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court said in its Oct. 22 ruling that a Workers' Compensation Appeal Judge was not bound by a death certificate listing the cause of death as "pulmonary fibrosis," and could rely on expert medical testimony contradicting that opinion.

Mary Patton sought death benefits for her …